“That has been my complaint about Ben Sasse, is he didn’t stick with it. Timidity or want of imagination is why … people [have] been so slow with picking up the fact that this kind of thing really resonates with the public.”

Sasse introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act earlier this year and Senate Democrats stopped it in its tracks last month.

Arkes said the legislation should have included a preamble that he originally drafted. In Arkes’s view, this legislation would function as a vehicle for Congress to assert its power over the issue of abortion. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would be the first step, as Congress would gradually assert its right to regulate all forms of abortion.

According to Arkes, he had lobbied the senator to have his preamble language added on to the bill, but they did not want to derail Sasse’s version of the bill, which left it out.

Arkes drew up the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in 1988 and it gradually made its way into Congress. It finally became law in 2002, but it did not have much teeth as far as penalties were concerned.

According to Princeton professor Robert George, who is a friend of Arkes, the 2002 bill was a compromise that threw a bone at pro-lifers and provided cover for moderate Democrats who wanted to avoid being seen as being pro-infanticide while avoiding attacks from pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood and NARAL.

There has been little traction to pass penalties since the 2002 version of this bill was passed.

However, a tougher Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act has gained a resurgence ever since Virginia Governor Ralph Northam endorsed the ideas of allowing abortions up to the point of birth or not protecting infants born alive. Sadly, this bill died on a 53-44 vote.

Arkes still wants Republicans to use his legislation to attack Democrats and keep the issue alive.

Sasse, who’s a seasoned defender of legacy institutions like the military-industrial complex and a favorite son of legacy institutions, is no threat to the political establishment. For these reasons, pro-lifers would be wise to not put meaningful pro-life legislation in Sasse’s hands.

All too often, establishment Republicans water down their bills or make half-hearted efforts to pass meaningful legislation. However, their efforts are always lauded by naive political gatekeepers and make for good fundraising material.

This is how the DC swamp and its access-based lobby appendages operate.

Pro-lifers should look for another champion in the Senate. Ben Sasse simply doesn’t cut it.

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